WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

ASPEN COMICS FOR JUNE

X-O MANOWAR #1 EXPANDS

Valiant has announced that it is expanding X-O Manowar #1 -- in stores on May 2 -- to 40 pages.

The story from writer Robert Venditti and artist Cary Nord tells the transformation of fifth century Visigoth Aric of Dacia into the alien-armored weapon of destruction known as X-O Manowar. The issue will have a 29-page lead story -- plus an extra-added preview of Valiant's June debut issue, Harbinger #1 -- for the originally solicited cover price of $3.99.

"Valiant is committed to giving fans and retailers alike as many reasons as possible to pick up X-O Manowar #1 on May 2nd," said publisher Fred Pierce. "This isn't just the first issue of one new series, it's the first issue of the all-new Valiant Universe. X-O Manowar #1 is a milestone in every sense of the word, and lengthening the book to 40 pages is the perfect way to do it justice -- both for our readers and the story."

The expansion is the latest in a series of reader incentives for X-O Manowar. Valiant recently announced a Pullbox Exclusive program that offers comic shop patrons who start a pull list subscription for X-O Manowar #1 an exclusive incentive cover by Nord. That was followed by Valiant's QR Voice Variant -- a "talking" cover and the first comic of its kind to utilize QR technology.

Click on the thumbnails for larger images.

IDW TO PUBLISH JUDGE DREDD COMICS

IDW Publishing has announced it is partnering with 2000 AD to launch a line of Judge Dredd comics starting later this year.

Details and creative teams will be announced at a later date, but the partnership includes the creation of all-new Judge Dredd comics as well as deluxe reprints of classic Dredd material.

"Judge Dredd turns 35 this year, and it;s great to help him celebrate his birthday like this," said Chris Ryall, IDW's Chief Creative Officer/Editor-in-Chief. "It was great to meet up with the 2000 AD team at the recent London Super Con and cement the partnership on this one. My interest in Judge Dredd far predates my tenure at IDW, so it's a real drokkin' pleasure for us to now be the first American publisher in 18 years to create new tales of Dredd."

Judge Dredd was created by writer John Wagner and artist Carlos Ezquerra, along with editor Pat Mills, and made his debut in the second issue of the science fiction anthology 2000 AD. He remains that title's longest-running character and is one of the best-known British comic-book characters of all time.

"IDW are renowned for their ability to create new comics for existing characters with both respect and imagination," said Jason Kingsley, CEO of Rebellion, "so we at Rebellion were intrigued when they approached us. Their familiarity with Dredd and passion for the character were vital components in making this partnership happen. With 2000 AD's longest-serving, and multiple award-winning, editor Matt Smith working with IDW on establishing the new series, we’re delighted to make 2012 an even more spectacular year for Judge Dredd and 2000 AD."

A Dredd movie, starring Karl Urban, will be in theaters in August.

MAD: "GARFIELD OF DREAMS/I HATE MY TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES"

Warner Bros. Animation has released a clip and five images from "Garfield of Dreams/I Hate My Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," the episode of MAD that premieres Monday, March 26 on Cartoon Network.